What to do at the airport while waiting
When it comes to commercial air travel, there can be a lot of waiting around. Once you’ve parked the car and safely passed through airport security, the average passenger will spend between one and three hours waiting in the departure lounge. And, of course, this can be even longer should your flight be delayed. So, the question is, if you find yourself waiting for hours on end in the departure lounge, what can you do before boarding your flight? Luckily, here at Liverpool Airport, there is plenty to keep you and your family occupied!
So, whether you are waiting at the airport for a connecting flight or have longer than planned because of a delayed flight, it’s helpful to have a few things to do to stave off the boredom. In this blog, we look at some of the best things to do in LJLA’s departure lounge.
What can I do at the airport while waiting for a flight?
Whether you’re heading on a family holiday or an important business trip, the time spent waiting for your flight can feel like time wasted. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Commercial airport departure lounges are now more passenger-friendly than ever, providing plenty of ways to not only endure but enjoy the time you spend at the airport. Nowhere is this truer than here at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. So, if you’re planning a trip, or have already passed through airport security and know you’ll be waiting for a while, the below advice will help you to spend the time wisely.
Eat
Grabbing a bite to eat is not only a good way to kill some time before your flight, but also important. If you have a long flight ahead of you, making sure you’re hydrated and have something in your stomach can make for a much more comfortable journey. Kicking off with a nice meal at the airport can also be a great way to signal the start of your holiday or business trip.
Pretty much all commercial airports offer food. While some may only offer simple kiosk snacks and fast food, others are home to top notch restaurants. At Liverpool Airport, you can choose from the likes of Burger King and Starbucks to Frankie & Benny's and the Estuary Bar & Grill. There’s something for everyone!
Drink
If you’ve eaten before you arrive at the airport, or your flight falls in between meals, grabbing a drink can be a great way to spend time while waiting for a flight. It's not for everyone, but for those of you who like to kick a holiday off with an airport beer or wine, the airport pub might be the place for you. At LJLA, The Kissing Gate is the airport’s very own traditional British pub with a modern twist. Or for a more a premium feel visit the Cabin after World Duty Free and Relax with friends, family and fellow passengers while enjoying a drink and keeping an eye on the departure board.
If you're after a soft drink or a hot beverage, why not kill some time with a coffee? A staple of airports the world over, airport lounge coffee shops are the perfect place to enjoy a nice warm drink before your flight. Whether you sit and read a book while slipping on your coffee, or watch the planes take off through a runway window, you’ll be surprised how quickly time can pass!
Browse the shops
Airport departure lounges typically offer great variety when it comes to retail therapy. From designer sunglasses and fragrances to cigarettes and alcohol, the often-eclectic mix of retailers at airports also means you don’t really have to buy anything to enjoy yourself. Airport window shopping is a great pastime in itself and you can make great savings with many retailers offering tax free pricing.
If you do have some money to spend, there are some fantastic bargains to be found while you wait for your flight. Buy a discounted gift for a loved one from Duty Free or treat yourself to a new holiday read from the book shop. If you’re on your way home, airport shopping areas are also a great place to buy some last-minute cultural souvenirs. That could be a green-tea KitKat from Tokyo, a bottle of sangria from Malaga, or, yes, even a Beatles t-shirt from Liverpool!
Use the free Wi-Fi
You can also use time spent waiting for your flight to be called to do something productive. Most commercial airports around the world now provide a certain amount of free Wi-Fi usage for all passengers. For example, here at LJLA, we offer up to four hours free Wi-Fi, and unlimited Premium access for just £5 per session. With the internet at your disposal, why not get a headstart on your work emails? Alternatively, you could video chat with friends and family to give them an update on your journey.
Of course, free Wi-Fi can also be used for entertainment as well as work and communications. If you’re using it to burn through the hours before your gate is announced, why not stream a movie or listen to music? You can also use it to scroll through your favourite social media feeds, catch up on the news, or download some podcasts for the flight.
At Liverpool John Lennon Airport, you might be surprised how quickly a few hours of waiting can pass when you keep yourself busy!
